A Pitt Meadows nursery that had its trees killed by a toxic fertilizer has been awarded part of what is believed to be the largest settlement of it kind Wednesday by an Oregon State civil court.

American fertilizer company Sun Gro Horticulture and agri-business giant Wilbur-Ellis were ordered to pay close to $40 million to DeZwaan Nurseries of Pitt Meadows and JRT Nurseries of 91原创, in what is believed to be the largest product liability settlement ever awarded to a Canadian company, according to DeZwaan Nurseries鈥� lawyer Joseph Prodor.

JRT and DeZwaan nurseries had been seeking a total of $40.2 million.

According to court documents filed with the Oregon court, both nurseries bought Sun Gro鈥檚 fertilizer product called Multicote 15-9-12, which contained ingredients not designed to be used in the horticulture and nursery business.

As a result, the fertilizer damaged crops, killing some and stunting others.

DeZwaan Nurseries grows ornamental Japanese maple trees, and was seeking $800,000 in damages.

The majority of the settlement went to JRT Nurseries in 91原创, with DeZwaan being awarded close to $400,000.

Woodburn Fertilizer, a division of agri-business giant Wilbur-Ellis, manufactured, sold, and distributed the Multicote 15-9-12 product used by Sun Gro, and sold Sun Gro the ingredients not intended for use in horticultural applications.

In the case of damages sustained by DeZwaan nurseries, the court found Sun Gro to be 85 per cent at fault , while Wilbur-Ellis was 15 per cent.

The court ruled the fertilizer was 鈥渦nreasonably dangerous鈥� and both Sun Gro and Wilbur-Ellis breached warranties they had made to the product鈥檚 effectiveness.

DeZwaan Nurseries owner Eelco de Zwaan said he was forced to sell his nursery as a result of the bad fertilizer.

鈥淲e lost a whole year鈥檚 crop,鈥� he said.

De Zwaan said Multicote 15-9-12 was marketed as a controlled-release fertilizer, but it contained ingredients that were immediately released, damaging his crop of maple trees.

De Zwaan said he expects Sun Gro and Wilbur-Ellis to appeal the verdict.

鈥淏y the time it鈥檚 all done, I don鈥檛 think I鈥檒l see any of the money because of lawyer fees,鈥� he said.